Hal Leonard Bagpipe Method | Beginner’s Guide for Great Highland Bagpipes | Book with Online Video Lessons | Learn Bagpipe Notation, Technique, Grace-Noting, Embellishments and Traditional Tunes

The "Hal Leonard Bagpipe Method" is an absolute gem for anyone with a passion for mastering the captivating world of bagpipes. This book, published on January 1, 2014, is a comprehensive and invaluable resource that has made my journey into bagpiping both enjoyable and educational. Here's why I'm absolutely thrilled with this book: Thorough and Well-Structured Content: The book is impressively thorough and well-structured, catering to both beginners and those with some prior knowledge of the bagpipes. It guides you from the basics to more advanced techniques, ensuring a solid foundation in playing this unique instrument. Clear and Concise Instructions: The instructions are exceptionally clear and concise. Even complex concepts are explained in a manner that is easy to understand. I've found the step-by-step approach to be incredibly helpful in building my skills progressively. Comprehensive Exercises and Tunes: The book is packed with exercises and tunes that allow for continuous practice and improvement. It covers a wide range of traditional tunes, helping me develop my repertoire as a bagpiper. Historical and Cultural Insights: I appreciate the historical and cultural insights sprinkled throughout the book. Learning about the rich heritage and significance of bagpipes adds depth to my playing and appreciation for this ancient instrument. Musical Notation and Sheet Music: The inclusion of musical notation and sheet music is invaluable. It's an essential reference for playing bagpipe tunes accurately and beautifully. Accompanying Audio Tracks: The book comes with accompanying audio tracks that allow me to listen and play along. This auditory component greatly enhances the learning experience, helping me with rhythm, timing, and tone. Dedication to Preservation: I admire the dedication of the authors and Hal Leonard in preserving the art of bagpipe playing. This book is a testament to their commitment to passing down this unique tradition to future generations. Durable Paperback Format: The book's durable paperback format ensures that it can withstand frequent use and travel, making it a reliable companion for practice sessions both at home and on the go. In conclusion, the "Hal Leonard Bagpipe Method" is a must-have for anyone with a passion for bagpipes, whether you're just starting your journey or looking to refine your skills. Its comprehensive content, clear instructions, and dedication to preserving this musical tradition make it a five-star resource. I wholeheartedly recommend it; it's the ultimate guide that will inspire and empower you on your bagpiping adventure.

All of Hal Leonard’s books are excellent on any instrument! This bagpipe books explains in easy detail on playing the bagpipes. A must for learning the pipes

UPDATE: You can read my first impressions below. But after being a bit frustrated, I Googled to find Hal Leonard's company. I sent them an email explaining my issue with the Kindle version not having the videos because there was no CD/DVD and they had not made that clear in the description of the Kindle book. They were kind enough to respond and sent me links to a website that had the videos. This made the Kindle book useful again. I still think they should note that in the book description or update it with the online video links but the methodology and the instruction is first rate and deserves a 5-star rating - I'm dinging it one for making you hunt for the videos online. But now you know and can get them too. ORIGINAL IMPRESSIONS: I bought the Kindle version of this book so I could take it everywhere I went. Unfortunately a great deal of the instructional value is from the videos referred to in the book. In hard copy there's a CD/DVD that accompanies this. Perhaps on a Kindle device those videos will play, but using the Kindle App (Android or PC versions) I get a note where the video link must be that the "audio content at this location that is not currently supported for your device." Frankly, if a PC can't play that, the book is essentially useless. Not sure I want to buy a Kindle just to see if it works. I gave this 2 starts because the text seems very well done and the overall approach seems good. Just too bad I can't do anything much with it. Back to the Green Book for me :-(

I would never go so far as to say that learning the bagpipes is easy. HOWEVER I do have some comments on the quality and content of Ron and Sara's Bagpipe Method book. - it provides clear directions both in text and video - I like the simplified grace note and strike embellishments. It allows me into playing the tune all while knowing that later on the full embellishments will come into play - each lesson offers abundant HOPE that "in no time at all, one can be out playing the pipes" - large text for old eyes like mine to be able to read without my readers on - lots of margin space to make notes in - DVD is invaluable. Easy to access the various lessons. I use on my laptop with lots of stopping, and replaying and trying again - Ron's technique and presence in the videos is impressive. He is authoritative but at the same time warm enough and encouraging at the same time. Overall he appears to be an effective teacher - affordable purchase price on the book - beautiful photograph of a very impressive set of pipes on the cover! I had been taking private lessons for 4 months before I purchased the book. As it is, it has turned out to be a wonderful supplement and excellent reinforcement of some of the same key tenants that my instructor promotes. (I am currently as far as lesson 8 in the book. My progress in learning the chanter is slow but steady.)

If you’re looking for a bagpipe book, to help get you started, rejuvenate your fingers after some time off or are just curious about the bagpipes I highly recommend giving this book and CD package a go. When you purchase this book remember that it’s up to you, the student no matter what age, to practice, practice, practice what Ringo is teaching you. He lays it out there from note structure, to timing, to embellishments on the beat. Listen to what he is teaching and you’ll be up and piping in no time. A few of the things I took away from the programs were using a metronome, don’t be afraid to slow a tune down to understand it or speed it up for some of the note exercises to see how far you’ve come. Second, it’s OK to play a tune written with fewer grace notes than you’d see in a published tune book, once you’re confident in your technique you can build them back in, Ringo reminds you that the melody is key, play a beautiful melody and the rest will work itself into place. And third, pull the more difficult parts out of a tune and build an exercise out of it. I hope this helps in your decision making…..

This is for the Kindle version. There are better tutors out there...at twice the cost. For the price and convenience of being able to take it "wherever" (my practice chanter goes everywhere with me) this one is a good place to start. The lessons are easy to follow, the videos helpful, and the tune selection, for the most part, is good for a beginning piper. (I'm curious why they started with Blue Bells of Scotland, there are easier first tunes). Purchased to supplement biweekly lessons with an instructor.

This is a really good book and the DVD supports learning really well. As a beginner learning the bagpipes, I fell into the problem of trying to find a book to teach myself the Bagpipes. After 4 books later, I found this one and it is fantastic. Easy to read and the video lessons assist greatly to understand what the chanter is meant to sound like. For anyone wanting to learn the bagpipes, I recommend this one. With some time and practice, I hope to be a proficient piper and if I get there... it is because of this book.

I actually use this book as a core instructional aid as a bagpipe instructor. This is a really well-written book and the accompanying DVD is fantastic. Quick to-the-point lessons yet effectively done with all the important bits stressed. And all designed to get students up and on the instrument quickly. I have used many teaching materials over the years for my students- this is now my go-to resource to have new students acquire right away. And finally, the price for a book+DVD combo just cannot be beat!